SINGAPORE - A total of 125 people donated blood at the Red Apple Day event held by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) on Tuesday (Jan 12).

The SPH Red Apple Day, which is into its 16th year and held twice a year, is one of the nation's biggest blood donation drives, said the Singapore Red Cross Society, which supported the event.

The drive hopes to encourage the public to donate blood before the festive Chinese New Year period, when donations can fall by up to 20 per cent, said a Red Cross spokesperson.

The donors were SPH staff or members of the public. Some had signed up but were unable to donate for medical reasons.

Successful donors received goody bags with red apples in them, which event organisers said symbolised the high iron content and colour of apples and blood.

The drive attracted several regular donors, such as Ms Callie Chong, 29, who used her lunch break to walk over from a nearby office.

"I always believe my blood can save someone. And this event makes donation accessible for myself, as the blood banks are located far away and their opening hours are not so flexible," said Ms Chong, who has donated blood 18 times previously.

"Without these mobile drives, I would be donating much less," she added.

The Straits Times

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